In a thrilling encounter at Kingstown, South Africa narrowly defeated Nepal by one run in a T20 World Cup 2024 group stage match. The close finish not only broke the hearts of Nepalese fans but also eliminated Nepal from contention for the Super Eight stage. South Africa’s victory, spearheaded by Tabraiz Shamsi’s brilliant 4 for 19, ensured they finished the group stage undefeated with four wins in four matches.
Match Summary
South Africa 115 for 7 (Hendricks 43, Stubbs 27, Bhurtel 4-19, Airee 3-21)*
Nepal 114 for 7 (Aasif 42, Sah 27, Shamsi 4-19)
Result: South Africa won by one run
The Match Unfolds
The game seemed to be Nepal’s to lose for most of the match. South Africa’s batsmen struggled against Nepal’s spinners, who effectively limited them to a modest 115 for 7. However, a late collapse in Nepal’s chase turned the tide in South Africa’s favor.
South Africa’s Cautious Start
Possibly scarred by their earlier outings in the tournament, South Africa began the game with a conservative approach. Their powerplay score of 38 for 1 was their best of the tournament, yet it was achieved with cautious batting. South Africa waited for loose deliveries rather than taking the initiative, which allowed Nepal’s bowlers to maintain tight lines and lengths.
Nepal’s Spin Web
Sandeep Lamichhane set the tone with his very first delivery, which gripped and turned past Reeza Hendricks’ defense. This set the stage for Nepal’s spinners to dominate. Lamichhane, although wicketless, bowled economically, giving away just 18 runs in his four overs. The real damage, however, was done by Dipendra Singh Airee and Kushal Bhurtel, who took seven wickets between them. Bhurtel’s 4 for 19 and Airee’s 3 for 21 were instrumental in restricting South Africa to a below-par total.
South Africa’s middle order struggled to cope with the turning ball, with only Tristan Stubbs managing a strike rate above 100, scoring 27 off 18 balls. The spin trio of Lamichhane, Airee, and Bhurtel bowled 14 overs combined, conceding just 58 runs while taking six wickets.
Nepal’s Steady Chase
Nepal’s chase got off to a stable start. After an early reprieve when Kagiso Rabada dropped a catch, they opted for risk-free cricket, reaching 32 without loss at the end of the powerplay. Aasif Sheikh and Anil Sah then began to build a solid partnership, capitalizing on any scoring opportunities.
Shamsi’s introduction to the attack proved crucial. He dismissed Bhurtel and Rohit Paudel in his first over, bringing South Africa back into the game. Aasif and Sah attempted to rebuild, with Sah hitting boundaries off Anrich Nortje and a six off Shamsi. Aasif followed suit, taking Rabada for a six and a four in consecutive balls, and the pair brought up their fifty partnership off just 36 deliveries.
Shamsi’s Game-Changing Over
The turning point came in Shamsi’s 18th over. With Nepal needing 25 runs off 30 balls and seven wickets in hand, Shamsi struck twice. He first removed Airee with a feather touch caught behind, and then bowled Aasif Sheikh with a delivery that turned sharply. These two wickets increased the required run rate significantly and left Nepal needing 16 runs off 12 balls.
Baartman Holds His Nerve
Anrich Nortje bowled a tight penultimate over, conceding just four runs and taking the wicket of Kushal Malla. This left Nepal needing 16 off eight balls. Sompal Kami then hit a massive six, reducing the equation to eight off the final over. Gulsan Jha’s boundary over cover brought the target down to four runs off three balls, setting up a tense finish.
Ottneil Baartman bowled the final over with precision. Two expertly executed slower bouncers resulted in dot balls, leaving Nepal needing four off the last ball. A desperate attempt for a single off a bye led to a run-out, as Heinrich Klaasen’s throw to the non-striker’s end found Jha short of the crease. Nepal fell agonizingly short by one run, sealing South Africa’s victory.
Key Performances
South Africa
Tabraiz Shamsi (4-19): Shamsi was the standout performer, turning the game in South Africa’s favor with his crucial wickets in the 18th over. His ability to generate turn on a spin-friendly pitch made it difficult for Nepal’s batsmen to score freely.
Tristan Stubbs (27):* Stubbs was the only South African batsman to score at a strike rate over 100, providing some much-needed impetus in the lower order.
Nepal
Kushal Bhurtel (4-19): Bhurtel’s spell was exceptional, taking four key wickets and conceding just 19 runs. His performance ensured South Africa could not post a big total.
Dipendra Singh Airee (3-21): Airee supported Bhurtel well, picking up three important wickets and maintaining a tight line and length throughout his spell.
Aasif Sheikh (42 off 49): Aasif was the anchor of Nepal’s innings, playing a steady knock and almost guiding his team to victory.
Post-Match Reactions
The narrow loss was a bitter pill to swallow for Nepal and their fans. The players were visibly emotional, knowing that this defeat not only cost them the match but also a place in the Super Eight stage. For South Africa, the victory was a relief and a testament to their resilience under pressure.
Nepal’s captain praised his team’s effort but acknowledged the missed opportunity. “We fought hard and gave ourselves a great chance, but credit to South Africa for holding their nerve in the end,” he said. South Africa’s captain lauded Shamsi’s performance, stating, “Tabraiz showed why he’s one of the best in the world. His spell turned the game for us.”
The match between South Africa and Nepal was a thrilling contest that highlighted the unpredictability and excitement of T20 cricket. Nepal’s spinners put on a masterclass, but it was South Africa’s experience and Shamsi’s brilliance that ultimately made the difference. The narrow margin of victory will be a tough memory for Nepal, but their performance against a top team like South Africa will be remembered as a valiant effort. As the T20 World Cup progresses, South Africa will look to carry this momentum forward, while Nepal will reflect on their campaign and build on the positives for future tournaments.
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